governor mccrory says paying the loan off as soon as possible would reduce those taxes. >> we're going to try to free up money so businesses can hire people and get them off unemployment. this is not an easy decision. >> reporter: to get the money to pay off the loan earlier, the republican governor and republican legislature cut current state benefits from $535 a week to $350. the benefits now end at a maximum of 20 weeks instead of 26. >> 70,000. of our brothers and sisters. reporter: cutting state unemployment benefits makes north carolina ineligible for federal benefits altogether. so 70,000 unemployed whose state benefits have run out now have no money coming in at all. >> folks who say, "i know it's a tough question but get out there and look for a job." >> every day. looking not the problem. i can find jobs. it's getting hired that i can't get done. >> the guy has $170 in his checking account, nothing in his savings account. and he's wondering how he's going to put food on his table. >> i care for these people. and i want to help these people. one way i help them is not to conti